UPDATE: The City is offering to allow residents to park tonight – Tuesday, March 30th – in Garage B from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

As a result of the weather forecast for heavy rain in our area and potential flooding, the City of Hoboken is providing free parking in a municipal garage this Monday, March 29th beginning at 8 p.m. until Tuesday, March 30th at 8 a.m. Residents who reside in flood prone areas with a valid residency parking permit will be able to park in Garage B (located on 2nd Street between Hudson and River streets).

The Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority appointed board Commissioner Toni Tomarazzo and Assistant Secretary E. Norman Wilson as the Chair and Vice-Chairman respectively of the governing board at Wednesday’s monthly meeting. Tomarazzo joined the board as Commissioner at the beginning of this year and replaces Kevin Kramer who became Chairman in September of 2009. Kramer cited the need to spend more time with his family, as both he and his wife are expecting their first child in June. Kramer will remain on the board as a Commissioner. Wilson has served on the board since its inception in 2006.

Yesterday, Governor Christie reported to the State Legislature on his plan for the State’s budget. In his speech, he candidly acknowledged the extent of our State’s fiscal difficulties which he noted had been years in the making. The Governor said:

“We did not dig the hole in which we find ourselves in a day or a year. The massive gap between our resources and our appetite has built up over twenty years. It has been dug by a lack of discipline and unwillingness to say no; made deeper by poor policy choices along the way and quick fixes to avoid tough decisions�..In recent years, we have allowed the problem to become bigger through a series of one-time gimmicks that have worsened our situation.”

The Governor was speaking about the State of New Jersey but he could just as easily have been describing the state of the City of Hoboken.

On Wednesday, March 17th the City Council will be voting on the proposed terms of the Memorandum of Understandings for the PBA and PSOA Police contracts negotiated by State Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi. As advised by labor counsel, Mayor Zimmer has asked the City Council to determine whether or not the terms should be released prior to the City Council meeting. As City Council President, with guidance from corporation counsel, I hereby formally request that the proposed terms for both contracts be posted on the City’s web site as soon as possible.

As a result of the weather forecast for heavy rain in our area and potential flooding, the City of Hoboken is providing free parking in a municipal garage this Saturday, March 13th beginning at 8 p.m. until Sunday, March 14th at 8 a.m. Residents who reside in flood prone areas with a valid residency parking permit will be able to park in Garage B (located on 2nd Street between Hudson and River streets).

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is asking residents to show their support for the City�s $2 million application to the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund to finance a portion of the restoration of the damaged sections of the waterfront walkway at Sinatra and Castle Point Parks. Last night, the Hoboken City Council approved a $12 million bond to begin the multi-step process to repair these segments of the waterfront walkway. Approval of the $2 million application is vital in helping to cover the City�s costs for the project.

Residents and visitors are asked to download sample form letters from the City�s website, hobokennj.org., urging support of the funding. Residents and visitors of all ages are encouraged to use the sample form letters as a template to create their own communications. Letters should be sent to Mayor Zimmer�s office to be added to the grant application.

The City of Hoboken announced today that it will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall to update the community and discuss the design of the underground wet weather pumping station which is being constructed by the North Hudson Sewerage Authority on the south side of Observer Hwy between Hudson and Washington streets.

In anticipation of the tens of thousands of visitors expected to converge on Hoboken for the 24th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 6th, the City of Hoboken is taking steps to inform residents and visitors about what to expect.

A special page on the City’s website was launched containing important information including a map of Port-O-John locations, advice for those traveling from out of town, and law enforcement-related information.